Ataq

NWSA Water Branch

Ataq is the capital city of Shabwah Governorate, located in the southeastern part of Yemen. The Ataq branch of the National Water and Sanitation Authority (NWSA) manages the water and sanitation services for the city and its surrounding areas. The branch serves approximately 85,740 people, representing 43% of the city's estimated 200,000 residents as of 2022. The remaining population relies on water tankers for their water supply. The branch faces numerous challenges, including limited water resources, insufficient infrastructure, and a high financial deficit. The city's water is sourced from 11 operational wells, complemented by wells outside the branch’s jurisdiction, with a total production capacity of 1,126,000 m³ per year. Despite these efforts, the per capita water consumption remains critically low at 16 liters per day, far below the World Health Organization (WHO) standard of 150 liters per day. Sanitation services are equally underdeveloped, with limited collection lines and no wastewater treatment facilities.